Abstract
By using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate a terahertz (THz) wave propagating in the stagnation region of a reentry plasma sheath. When a THz wave propagates in the plasma sheath, the frequency blue shift is initiated as the wavelength is compressed. Attenuation is observed due to energy transfer from the THz wave to the plasma internal energy. Electrons are first accelerated mostly via oscillating in the electric field and partially via the wake field and then deliver their energies to the other particles via collisions. Detailed discussions show that increasing the intensity and frequency of the THz wave results in a higher transmission coefficient, which indicates that high power and high frequency methods are useful for communication blackout mitigation. This investigation of THz wave transmission in plasma will facilitate the mitigation of radio frequency blackout in spacecraft reentry in earth’s atmosphere communication.
Highlights
In case that the frequency of a reentry plasma sheath is higher than the radio wave frequency, the spacecraft loses voice communication, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, data telemetry, and electric countermeasure capability due to the reflection and attenuation
Though it is of the utmost importance to a spacecraft, the radio frequency (RF) communication blackout is still an obstacle in modern reentry missions
To conclude, the THz wave transmission in a plasma sheath is investigated in numerical simulations with the PIC code EPOCH
Summary
In case that the frequency of a reentry plasma sheath is higher than the radio wave frequency, the spacecraft loses voice communication, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, data telemetry, and electric countermeasure capability due to the reflection and attenuation. Taking into account the data collection, health monitoring, guidance, and termination, proper signal transmission may play a key role in the reentry mission in results of its success or failure. Though it is of the utmost importance to a spacecraft, the radio frequency (RF) communication blackout is still an obstacle in modern reentry missions.4The reentry plasma sheath is formed as a consequence of air dissociation and ionization. When a spacecraft penetrates into the air of a planet with a supersonic or hypersonic velocity, its kinetic energy is converted into heat largely via the shock wave compression and partially via the skin friction. The raising high temperature results in the plasma sheath formation, where the air becomes highly conductive with radio signals being blacked out.. In case that the frequency of a reentry plasma sheath is higher than the radio wave frequency, the spacecraft loses voice communication, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, data telemetry, and electric countermeasure capability due to the reflection and attenuation.. Taking into account the data collection, health monitoring, guidance, and termination, proper signal transmission may play a key role in the reentry mission in results of its success or failure.. Though it is of the utmost importance to a spacecraft, the radio frequency (RF) communication blackout is still an obstacle in modern reentry missions.. The reentry plasma sheath is formed as a consequence of air dissociation and ionization.. The raising high temperature results in the plasma sheath formation, where the air becomes highly conductive with radio signals being blacked out.
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